[lol131234]

The best PMs are those who don't act like managers. Engineers don't report to Product nor Project Managers. Unfortunately, many PMs act like they are real managers and bully engineers around.

This only leads to confusion and bad culture. Senior devs don't take orders from PMs but junior devs usually end up confused and create more issues.

In my 10 years of experience as software engineer, a PM has never forced me or my team to take any shortcuts or work extra hours to meet their deadline. Every time we had disagreement, my boss backed me not PM.

[jf22]

110% this.

My worst professional experiences have all revolved around product people pushing aggressive deadlines.

The best shops I've worked at have had product people who are subservient to technology teams.

Product exists so that developers can focus on code and implementation and not have to play politics and attend endless meetings.

[mdinic]

How do you deal with an issue where engineering provides estimates but does not deliver even on their worst case? I agree PM/PO should never push. What if engineering is the issue?